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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: The Sniggler on January 04, 2018, 06:55:54 PM

Title: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 04, 2018, 06:55:54 PM
Any word on what is going on with updates for Windows 7?
Checked for Windows updates several times today, nothing...
Has any Win7 Avast user been successful with the new patches??
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on January 04, 2018, 07:45:10 PM
I'm on Win7. What version should the patch be in?
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: REDACTED on January 04, 2018, 08:56:59 PM
I am on windows 7 and have the avast version in this board's sticky, it hasn't updated yet (been looking for the registry key that should have been included). The patch for windows is available but I haven't installed it yet because of this
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 04, 2018, 09:02:51 PM
From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Hopper15 on January 04, 2018, 09:51:53 PM
From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: REDACTED on January 04, 2018, 09:58:45 PM
From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

I think the registry update from third party AV's is required for the update to be initiated via Windows Update. I think without it, it can and probably will causes issues
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Alikhan on January 04, 2018, 10:00:32 PM
Refer to this thread: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=212664.0

Avast released a micro update yesterday and now they're waiting for Microsoft.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Hopper15 on January 04, 2018, 10:06:08 PM
From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

I think the registry update from third party AV's is required for the update to be initiated via Windows Update. I think without it, it can and probably will causes issues

Thanks.

I received the registry update on both my PC's.  Checked windows update a few times today and nothing so far.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: REDACTED on January 04, 2018, 10:19:56 PM
@Hopper
I think I have it also but it’s not coming through for me yet either. It might be the way windows update delivery happens.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 04, 2018, 10:40:41 PM
From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

Start reading here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/list-of-meltdown-and-spectre-vulnerability-advisories-patches-and-updates/
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 04, 2018, 11:02:46 PM
Here's a clear explanation of why I am waiting for the patch to appear in regular Windows 7 Updates Checking:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4072699/important-information-regarding-the-windows-security-updates-released
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: REDACTED on January 05, 2018, 05:24:55 AM
How do I obtain this micro-update? I do not have the registry key needed to install the windows update. I am on windows 7 and using avast free.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 05, 2018, 02:34:59 PM
No update on either machine today... I plan to still wait it out.

Ain't no way I am messing with the registry on something like this, don't need a BSOD on top of it all.

While the anticipated update is supposed to slow PC speed by approx. 30%, I read where Intel will be releasing firmware upgrades this week. Maybe just wait for Intel???  See:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/hardware/intel-promises-firmware-updates-for-most-modern-cpus-by-the-end-of-next-week/

Not really much info out there on what to do except general media hype.

Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Hopper15 on January 05, 2018, 04:46:54 PM
No update on either machine today... I plan to still wait it out.

Ain't no way I am messing with the registry on something like this, don't need a BSOD on top of it all.

While the anticipated update is supposed to slow PC speed by approx. 30%, I read where Intel will be releasing firmware upgrades this week. Maybe just wait for Intel???  See:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/hardware/intel-promises-firmware-updates-for-most-modern-cpus-by-the-end-of-next-week/

Not really much info out there on what to do except general media hype.

You can the run Intel-SA-00086 Detection Tool in the link below and see if your PC is vulnerable.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27150

Luckily I don't have to install those firmware updates.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Asyn on January 05, 2018, 07:34:56 PM
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=212691.0
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on January 05, 2018, 07:56:03 PM
You can the run Intel-SA-00086 Detection Tool in the link below and see if your PC is vulnerable.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27150

Luckily I don't have to install those firmware updates.


Intel-SA-00086 is a completely different issue. Please stop spreading misinformation!

You're talking about the IME-bug. That has nothing to do with Meldown and Spectre.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 08, 2018, 04:06:12 PM
Finally got the January rollup update thru Windows Update service today. Download and install ran slower than most, but everything working OK on both PCs. Wonder if there will be an Intel BIOS update and if this will be distributed thru Windows update?
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on January 08, 2018, 04:11:41 PM
BIOS update via Windows Update? That would be a first (I think).
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 08, 2018, 04:15:20 PM
BIOS update via Windows Update? That would be a first (I think).

That would be the logical thing to do... If no BIOS update thru routine Windows Update, then the vast majority of users will not get that BIOS update.

What regular user stays close to Intel?

Perhaps Dell or the OEMs will provide notification or advise when it is available.
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on January 08, 2018, 04:46:15 PM
Updating the BIOS can be dangerous. If it doesn't complete properly the system is hosed. And it will be reset to defaults. So the sytem still might not even boot afterwards or find all drives, networks, etc. All this shouldn't even be done without a full backup.

It would be a recipe for disaster.

Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: The Sniggler on January 08, 2018, 04:58:31 PM
100% agree. Updating BIOS and firmware is something I avoid.

I have seen such updates float thru WU in the past.  This piece indicates Intel will be providing an update soon and the comments seem indicate this should be done thru WU.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/hardware/intel-promises-firmware-updates-for-most-modern-cpus-by-the-end-of-next-week/
Title: Re: Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre
Post by: Rundvleeskroket on January 08, 2018, 05:01:39 PM
Firmware and/or microcode updates are different from a full blown BIOS update.

Still things I would not want to apply from within the OS.